Brazil, Argentina favourites for Copa, says Tiago

20 June 2011 07:30

Argentina and Brazil must be considered joint favourites to lift the Copa America next month, AC Milan's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva said Monday.

"Between Brazil and Argentina, it'll be 50/50 - Argentina can be seen as favourites as they'll be at home but we are also seen as the team to beat as we won the last two editions," Silva told a media conference in Rio.

But he also forecast that World Cup finalists Uruguay would pose a threat.

"They have a lot of quality - especially when you look at what they served up in South Africa. In our pool, I think Paraguay will be our most dangerous rivals - but we have to respect everyone,"said Silva, nicknamed the Monster while with Rio outfit Fluminense and who will be playing in his first Copa.

The Brazilians will head out to Argentina on Tuesday in advance of their July 3 opening pool match against Venezuela at La Plata. They then face Paraguay and Ecuador.